Description

Consigned by the famed sculptor who dressed his life-sized artwork in the donated ensemble

1986-87 Larry Bird Game Worn Boston Celtics Uniform. It's
often been said that art imitates life, and nobody does that better
than our septuagenarian consignor Armand LaMontagne, whose
startlingly realistic likenesses reside at the Baseball Hall of
Fame in Cooperstown, the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield,
and the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor in Fort Knox, among
other public galleries. His life-sized study of the crucifixion of
Jesus occupies the back wall of the sanctuary of Saint Joseph Roman
Catholic Church in Scituate, Rhode Island, not far from the
picturesque farm that the artist calls home.

But perhaps his most celebrated depiction captured another figure
widely worshipped by the residents of New England, a wooden
likeness of Larry Bird that would make Madame Tussaud of wax museum
fame melt with envy. Some 2000 hours were spent on the life-sized
laminated basswood creation, more than a few with the subject
himself, the pair forming a strong bond of friendship as they
talked art and basketball.

Though LaMontagne's mastery leaves little doubt but that he could
have sculpted uniform and basketball just as well as he captured
Bird's fused right pinky and signature blonde "mullet" hair style,
he opted instead to use the genuine article, which Bird was happy
to supply. It is that ensemble we present here.

The home white knit is the most recognizable basketball garment of
the decade, with bold double-threes underscoring "Celtics" on the
chest and "Bird" on the back in green tackle twill. NBA logo patch
adorns upper left chest. Proper dual "Sand-Knit" labeling appears
at lower left exterior tail, reporting Celtics exclusivity and size
"46." Solid game wear from Boston Garden service is evident, as is
a degree of soiling likely resultant of public display. The lower
chest is boldly autographed beneath a personalization to the
artist.

Matching trunks appear to have been sourced from Danny Ainge, as a
faded number "44" appears on the exclusivity half of the
"Sand-Knit" tagging at interior waistband. We cannot honestly opine
on ownership of the striped white cotton socks, but the classic
Converse high-topped sneakers are clearly Bird's, each exhibiting
sweaty game wear but lacking any size markings. They are
identically signed at each ankle, "To Armand, Thanks for
Everything, Best Wishes, Larry Bird."

Larry Legend would found the 50-40-90 Club the season he wore the
provided jersey, a term coined for shooting percentages inside the
arc, outside the arc, and from the free throw line respectively. He
would once again lead his Celtics to the Eastern Conference
Championship, but would fall short of repeating as NBA Champs in a
classic battle with Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. The
jersey is, quite simply, a relic of an all-time great at his
prime.

Also offered within this lot is the basketball held by the wooden
Bird, earlier used by the flesh and blood model in competition and
likewise signed to the artist. Finally, we have an array of
publications and photographs of the well-dressed sculpture, with a
particularly wonderful shot of it being rolled out to center court
at Boston Garden. LOA from Heritage Auctions.